Marda.Anderson@f150.n321.z1.fidonet.org (Marda Anderson) (06/28/90)
Index Number: 8935
Hi, Ann. I agree that interest tests, while they lmay be somewhat
helpful for some people, to give them general characteristics, I think
their usefulness is extremely limited and I hate to see it when the
rehab professionals use them to try to force someone into a field which
doesn't interest them in the least but which will be easier for the
counselor to plug them into. I've seen that happen often. Of course,
I've also seen cases where the tests indicated an interest which the
person agreed with and wanted to pursue but which the rehab people
thought was not for him. They gave him a comprehensive vocational
evaluation which confirmed his interest in computer programming. Alas,
they happened to be wanting to fill the local medical transcription
program so they ignore both his wishes and the tests and put on his
eval that he should be in medical transcription. When he refused, they
stopped giving him services. As with so many things, either extreme can
produce problems.
marda
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Internet: Marda.Anderson@f150.n321.z1.fidonet.orgGreg.See-Kee@f631.n712.z3.fidonet.org (Greg See-Kee) (06/29/90)
Index Number: 8999
MA> I hate to see it
MA> when the rehab professionals use them to try to force someone into
MA> a field which doesn't interest them in the least but which will be
MA> easier for the counselor to plug them into.
We as the disabled people, see it as being the Individual person
who forces us. But it is really the Organization.
My first rehab centre said: "Throw him in a geriatric nursing
home - too brain-damaged!".
My second rehab centre said: "(One-handed) Data Entry Operator!"
The government stopped funding the second center, and it (Queen
Elizabeth II Rehab) closed down.
As I was being assessed by the second center, I realized that I
was in fact more trained/ experienced in this Disability work
than many of the staff members employed there. My assessor
realized that too - but he had the organization pressuring him.
MA> When he refused, they stopped giving him services.
Those were the days of "Normalization" - where we are expected to
tightly conform to the job-stereotypes that the Able-Bodieds have
of the world.
In modern Rehabilitation theory, there are new fashions. I've
been out of the Rehab Industry ever since I was disabled five
years ago - so I'm not sure what the latest fashions are.
I think it is something like I was doing in "Co-Counselling"
(brand-named "Re-evaluation Counselling").
This is "EMPOWERING the INDIVIDUAL".
This new fashion has flaws too. But I don't know if there is any
interest in this conference in long-term things like
Rehabilitation from (into?) Disability.
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Internet: Greg.See-Kee@f631.n712.z3.fidonet.orgMarda.Anderson@f150.n321.z1.fidonet.org (Marda Anderson) (06/29/90)
Index Number: 9006
The incident I described, where the young man was denied services after
he refused to train for a field in which he had no interest but which he
was being pressured to pursue, happened only a couple of years ago.
Perhaps rehab theory and practice are different in Australia. What you
call "normalization" still happens here much of the time.
marda
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Internet: Marda.Anderson@f150.n321.z1.fidonet.orgJoe.Chamberlain@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain) (06/29/90)
Index Number: 9012
MA> The concept of "empowering the individual" seems like a positive one.
I
MA> don't see it being practiced very much in the rehab community here,
MA> though I believe the independent living centers are an attempt to
MA> implement that idea. That movement is growing but the change is slow.
You can't empower an individual who refuses to be
responsible for their own actions. Most rehab clients accept the
test results and pronouncement by their counselor without
question. In reality those tests are open to wide
intrepretations.
I learned they can be manipulated very easily by anyone
with average intelligence. They can also be effected by the
testee's attitude and physical comfort.
Counselor's are just as easily influenced. Most times
they are concerned with cost, availability of funds, ease of
receiving approval from superiors, and meeting the service
providors requirements. In the course of events if te client
happens to get served too, then that is an added benefit.
VR is still dictating to the clients and the handicapped
are letting themselves be led like sheep in fear they will loose
their opportunity.
-=joe=-
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